Question

Read the excerpt from the introduction for "On Becoming an Inventor" by Dean Kamen.

I had just finished making a complicated piece of equipment that was to be used for a show opening in Philadelphia called "Fiorello." When the machine arrived they had trouble wiring it, so instead of going off to college that morning for an orientation, I spent several days at the theater fixing my light/sound equipment. The show received poor reviews, except for the mention by one reviewer of the "special effects," which, he wrote, were "outstanding."

Which detail from the excerpt proves that Dean created very good light/sound equipment?

a. He made a piece of equipment for a show named "Fiorello."
b. The show's crew had trouble wiring the equipment.
c. Dean spent several days at the theater fixing the equipment.
d. The equipment got great reviews, even though the show did not.

(I'll be really happy if you have an explanation, please!)

Answer 1

Answer: D, The show's crew had trouble wiring the equipment

Step-by-step explanation:

Summarizing the passage, Dean made a piece of audio equipment for "Fiorello," which, although it was a flop, was praised for its "special effects" that were "outstanding."

For Option A, although it shows that Dean made audio equipment, making it for "Fiorello" isn't sufficient to determine the quality of his equipment.

For Option B, the reason why the crew had trouble wiring the equipment is ambiguous, so the detail is too vague to determine whether or not there's a mention of quality.

For Option C, fixing on-site equipment results from the crew's problems wiring the equipment. Although it can be a sign of bad quality because of its complexity, the passage did not provide details regarding the equipment's reception/condition when it arrived in the theater.

Option D is the best answer. The review stating how the special effects were outstanding is likely from the equipment Dean manufactured. Since the theater company wasn't involved with the design of special effects (since, in the beginning, Dean was describing how he made the equipment,) it can be inferred that the equipment he made was good.